Engaging Hard-to-Reach Families in Your District

Family engagement is an understated art of relationship building and meeting families where they are. With the emergence of virtual learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, districts rapidly implemented technology-driven changes, which inadvertently widened the gap for hard-to-reach families (low income, ELL, minority, disabled, etc.). As a result, these families, who were already challenging to engage, found themselves less acquainted with district systems meant to facilitate communication and struggled to keep up with the evolving tech landscape accompanying virtual learning.

This report provides a concise overview of the strategies employed by profiled districts in navigating the challenges of family engagement for hard-to-reach communities. Download the full report or read the highlights below.

The COVID-19 pandemic made engaging hard-to-reach families even more difficult

The pandemic, subsequent economic downturns, and the rise of digital learning all in such a short span of time made it more difficult for some families (including low-income families and rural families, among others) to keep up with the new tech changes districts were implementing alongside virtual learning. As such, these families, who were often already hard to reach, became less familiar with the district systems and processes meant to keep them up-to-date with student progress.

Profiled districts base their family engagement efforts on content tailored to their community

District A follows the six types of family engagement created by Dr. Joyce Epstein as the foundation for their family engagement center. This framework aims to comprehensively address students’ needs both at home and within the community. To achieve this, District A offers a range of services including:

• Parenting classes
• Assistance with basic needs such as clothing and food
• Various academic and mental health support services

District B uses a similar approach to family engagement, prioritizing cultural responsiveness in all aspects of their operations. For instance, they keep cultural needs of diverse students in the district top of mind when initiating and completing various community outreach initiatives and family engagement activities. By integrating family engagement across all facets of a student’s life, District A and District B underscore the benefits of culturally relevant engagement practices.

Consistency is key when developing a family engagement initiative

Our contacts at District B employ a steadfast approach to family engagement which instills confidence and trust among families, highlighting the district’s commitment to sustained engagement. When families perceive a consistent effort from teachers and the administration, it reinforces the fact that the family’s involvement is an integral aspect of the overall educational experience.

This sense of continuity fosters a positive relationship between families and administrators, creating a foundation of trust and reliability. Moreover, a consistent approach in providing opportunities for involvement underscores the district’s dedication to nurturing a collaborative environment where families are active partners in their child’s progress.

Creating a welcoming environment at the classroom level is the foundation of successful family engagement

The core belief of our contacts at District B is that if families feel welcome and experience consistent follow- through from administrators and teachers, it contributes to fostering a school-wide culture of engagement. Professional development plays a pivotal role in empowering educators to understand and implement effective family engagement strategies.

Our contacts at District B emphasize the importance of making professional development manageable and positive for teachers, through encouraging simple actions like positive phone calls to parents. The overall goal is to establish a culture and leadership style that expects and encourages robust family engagement throughout the entire school community.

Download the Full Report